Gay rights movement
Subtitle: Lesbian Herstory Archives newsletter collection
Series: Archives of Sexuality and Gender: LGBTQ History and Culture Since 1940, Part I; Archives of Sexuality and Gender: LGBTQ History and Culture Since 1940, Part I
Publisher: [publisher not identified]
Published: 1960
Place of publication: [Place of publication not identified]
Language: eng
Number of pages: 800
Subjects: Sexual minorities; Periodicals; Gay rights; Homosexuality; History; Lesbians; Lesbianism; Gay liberation movement
Description: Compiled by grassroots activists with the motto that "every lesbian life [is] a famous one," The Lesbian Herstory Archive (LHA) is the oldest and largest lesbian archive in the world. The newsletters in this collection, originating from around the United States, provide a window into lesbian lives, communities, and activism from the 1950s to the first decade of the twenty-first century. Newsletters have been important tools of lesbian feminist organizing. In addition to being a vital tool of communication, newsletters were a place where organizers hashed out political and social ideas vital to the movement. The collection covers a range of political orientations, from militant separatists like the Radicalesbians of Philadelphia to apolitical groups like the West Side Discussion Group of New York. The newsletters reflect lesbian contributions to the feminist movement and their conflicts and alliances with other groups in the movement. There are debates about patriarchy, lesbian separatism, abortion, and sterilization abuse. Many discuss peace activism and the status of women around the world. But there are also newsletters from professional, religious, and spiritual organizations, including some that discuss family (such as Columbus, Ohio's Momazons) and others that cover feminist art, books, music, and entertainment.
Notes: Date range: 1960-2000.

Source institution: Lesbian Herstory Archives.